Prospect Talent Score

Probability of Success

History

2010-11: Jake Guentzel played for the Hill-Murray School in Maplewood, MN. In 25 games for that school, he scored 15 goals and added 28 assists for 43 points. In three playoff games, he scored 4 goals and chipped in 2 assists for 6 points. Guentzel also played 15 games for Team Northwest in the Upper Midwest High School Elite League (UMHSEL), scoring 6 goals and 5 assists for 11 points. He registered no points in 1 playoff game.

2011-12: Guentzel played 25 games for Hill-Murray, racking up 25 goals and 46 assists for 67 points. He scored 1 goal and chipped in 2 assists for 3 points in 3 playoff games. Guentzel again played in the UMHSEL, appearing in 21 games for Team Southeast. he scored 14 goals and added 27 assists for 41 points. He registered 3 assists in 3 playoff games. Guentzel committed to the University of Nebraska-Omaha during the off-season.

2012-13: Guentzel moved over the to the USHL to play for the Sioux City Musketeers. In 60 games for that club, he scored 29 goals and added 44 assists for 73 points. Guentzel was named a USHL Second Team All-Star for 2012-13, and was also named to the 2012-13 USHL All-Rookie Team. He will attend UNO starting in the fall of 2013. Guentzel was ranked 80th amongst North American skaters in the Central Scouting final rankings and was selected by Pittsburgh in the third round (77th overall) in the 2013 NHL Draft.

2013-14: Guentzel skated in all 37 games for Nebraska-Omaha as a freshman and was the team’s third-leading scorer. Skating on a line with the Mavericks’ top two scorers — juniors Josh Archibald (PIT) and Dominic Zombo — he scored 7 goals with 27 assists (sharing the team lead with Ryan Walters). Nebraska-Omaha finished third in the National College Hockey Conference in the conference’s inaugural season before falling to sixth-place Denver in a best-of-three quarterfinal series.

Talent Analysis

Guentzel is an undersized, yet highly skilled forward who possesses oodles of hockey sense. The biggest knock on him has been his size but Guentzel possesses the requisite skill, speed, and grit to play a top-nine role in the NHL. He will need to add considerable strength and size before he gets there.

Future

Guenztel is in his sophomore season at the University of Nebraska-Omaha and has played both center and wing for the Mavericks. Along with freshman Jake Randolph, another former Minnesota high school hockey player, he is leading the team in assists as UN-O has been one of the better offensive teams in college hockey. As with Randolph his size will be a challenge at the next level but long-term Guentzel has the skill and tenacity to be a successful lower line forward in the NHL one day.

Share this story

Photo: Erie Otter forward and 2015 prospect Connor McDavid recently topped the 100-point mark in the 2014-15 season, doing so in just 38 games (courtesy of Aaron Bell/OHL Images)

This past week has been full of creative and jaw-dropping NHL prospect highlights. One QMJHL goaltender sets an unusual new standard in goal scoring, while another has yet to lose since making his NHL debut. A hometown hero breaks hearts by scoring with the “Forsberg move” in a clutch situation, and the future first overall pick displays why he deserves that accolade yet again. Two European forwards showcase their elite skill, and a former prospect scored one of the best goals that didn’t make the scoresheet in this week’s Prospect Impressions. Read more»

Share this story

Photo: 2011 first-round pick Mark McNeill is making his way up the Chicago depth chart. (courtesy of Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire)

It’s no secret the Chicago Blackhawks have a knack for scouting and developing young talent. In fact, it is one of the prime reasons the Blackhawks have been one of the premiere franchises in the NHL for the past seven seasons. Due to this success, they continue to draft near the end of each round. Nevertheless, general manager Stan Bowman has managed to assemble an impressive system at nearly every position.

Share this story

Photo: Oshawa Generals defenseman and 2015 prospect Mitchell Vande Sompel is currently fifth in scoring among OHL defensemen with 55 points in 51 games (courtesy of Terry Wilson/OHL Images)

Mitchell Vande Sompel grew up in London, ON. He was a London Knights’ fan growing up and drew inspiration from some of its biggest stars. And, as a member of the powerhouse Oshawa Generals, the defenseman is looking to join some of the Knights’ famous alumni in the NHL. Read more»